In addition to enabling interoperability for technologies such as cloud
computing, AS4
is an emerging Internet messaging protocol that provides a standardized
method for secure and document-agnostic exchange of B2B payloads using
Web Services from any location, anywhere in the world. Drummond Group’s
AS4 interoperability testing is based on a proven test methodology
developed to ensure that different products can work together to
seamlessly exchange information. In 2013, the Australian government
adopted AS4 as the messaging standard for all B2G and B2B data exchange
and SuperStream represents one of the first large-scale market uses
incorporating the unique AS4 standard. All implementers will be required
to claim conformance against the AS4 standard.

Upon completion of this first-ever AS4 test and certification event, the
participating companies remarked:

"AS4 makes use of Web Services technologies to implement the same
security and reliability requirements that the widely used AS2 protocol
has met over many years,” said Dale Moberg, chief architect, Axway. “The
new AS4 products enhance AS2 to extend interoperable
business‐to‐business flows to smaller businesses that do not wish, or
are unable, to expose an internet service continuously. These businesses
can push data to business partners just as with AS2, but can now also
ask for, and get, any data that is to be sent to them that is on their
business partner’s server. We are pleased to provide our customers with
Drummond‐certified products that help them securely and efficiently
govern the flow of data within their B2B communities.”

“The OASIS AS4 Profile of the ebMS v3 standard, based on modern open Web
Services standards, provides the ideal secure and reliable business
messaging platform for businesses, governments and other professional
organizations to interoperate seamlessly across national, regional and
global boundaries,” said Theo Kramer, CTO of South Africa-based Flame
Computing. “Flame Computing is both a proud contributor to the OASIS AS4
standard, and pioneer developer of a world-class product range
conforming to the AS4 Profile of the ebMS V3 standard as attested by the
rigorous Drummond Group certification process.”

“Oban Pty Ltd. welcomes the new AS4 standard as a significant step
forward for reliable and secure business-to-business messaging.
Organizations globally can now extend business transactions to be
mediated via AS4 Web Services, both within the business community, and
between business and government,” said Brett Christie, Managing Director
of Oban Pty Ltd., based in Australia. “The new AS4 standard presents a
robust, scalable and manageable approach to Web Services by using the
best components of the EDIINT AS2, ebXML and associated standards in a
single manageable specification. Participating successfully in the AS4
interop suite with our own software stack confers a legitimacy on our
product offering, particularly in the Australian marketplace, which we
will leverage as the B2B messaging space matures.”

“TIBCO believes the key driver for AS4 adoption is the simplicity of the
standard for the secure and document-agnostic exchange of B2B payloads
using Web Services,” said Matt Quinn, chief technical officer, TIBCO.
“Certified interoperable AS4 software saves time, money and frustration
of getting commercial products working together. TIBCO is proud to have
successfully participated in this initial AS4 interoperability
certification testing.”

“Facilitating the first AS4 interoperability test and certification has
involved some dedicated companies who have seen the need to create AS4
standard-based software that can provide high-level security when
organizations exchange high-level documents and emails,” said Rik
Drummond, CEO of Drummond Group. “Drummond Group commends these
companies for their efforts to drive global interoperability with the
multiple benefits that AS4 provides and also deliver products that will
be among the forefront of applications that can be utilized by
Australia’s SuperStream project.”

AS4,
an OASIS B2B messaging standard, was finalized by the OASIS ebXML
Messaging Services (ebMS) Technical Committee. The intent and purpose of
the development of AS4 was to define a simplified Conformance Profile of
the ebMS v3.0 specification that would serve as a B2B on-ramp for Web
Services document exchange.

About Drummond Group Inc.

Founded in 1999, Drummond Group Inc. (DGI) is a leader in innovative,
global software testing, certification and acts as a catalyst to advance
and tie together technologies, standards, security and interoperability
in vertical industries – smart grid, automotive, health care, financial
services, government, petroleum, pharmaceutical and retail. As a
trusted, experienced and accredited interoperability test lab, the firm
offers global test services through the product life cycle, including
auditing, quality assurance, conformance and test consulting. For more
information, please visit http://www.drummondgroup.com
or email DGI@drummondgroup.com.